Announcements

June 2015

Fireworks viewers asked to dispose of trash, sparkler wires

Campus services is asking fireworks viewers on university properties to assist in post-event cleanup efforts, with special attention to sparkler wires. Trash containers are provided throughout the recreation fields typically used by the audiences who gather to watch Ames' fireworks show. The date for this year's show is Friday, July 3 (rain date is July 5). Sparkler wires create a safety hazard for sports groups who use the fields in the days following the fireworks display, as well as staff who mow and maintain the fields. Director of sustainability Merry Rankin said one solution is to half-fill a soup can or yogurt container with sand or dirt for disposal of sparkler wires.

'Inside Iowa State' is mobile friendly

It's now easier on your eyes and your hands (no more finger pinching and and screen twisting) to read Inside Iowa State articles on your phone. The new mobile-friendly design also offers some benefits for multitasking big-screen users. Narrow the Inside window and you've still got room for those 15 other windows you've opened.

University closed on July 3

Iowa State offices will be closed and classes will not meet on Friday, July 3, in observance of the U.S. Independence Day holiday on July 4.

'Daily' is online only through the summer

Iowa State Daily fans will be reading the campus newspaper online only for the rest of the summer. Daily readers, through surveys, focus groups and other means, are telling us that they want new and better digital platforms, said Mark Witherspoon, Daily editorial adviser. "By discontinuing the print product until the start of fall semester, our students are wholly focused on ways to tell stories better using video, photos, information graphics and illustrations in addition to text." In the fall, readers can choose from the five-days-a-week print edition, the online newspaper and the Daily's mobile app.

Sheldon extension work begins June 30

Weather has delayed the project, but pavement replacement work on the Sheldon Avenue extension west of the College of Design, including the south entrance to parking lot 9, now is scheduled to begin Tuesday, June 30. Drivers should watch for lane closures. The road will be closed during pavement removal and concrete pouring periods. Weather permitting, the project should be completed by 5 p.m. Friday, July 3.

Day of Caring deadline is July 31

United Way's Day of Caring -- the community service project that brings together dozens of university units and local businesses -- is set for Friday, Sept. 11. Groups planning to participate are asked to sign up online by July 31. Iowa State units have a strong tradition of lending a hand in the annual undertaking, which includes such volunteer activities as painting, landscaping, cleaning and organizing. Last year, nearly 500 volunteers from various colleges and departments donated several hours of service. Vice president for business and finance Warren Madden encourages ISU units to participate in the volunteer effort during work hours, if those units can maintain basic services and if unit supervisors approve.

Abstracts due July 1 for fall vaccine symposium

Attention graduate students and post-docs: Abstracts are due July 1 for the 2nd annual Vaccines Against Antigenically Variable Viruses Symposium in Ames Nov. 5-8. There is no charge to submit an abstract and scholarships are available for accepted presenters. Abstract submission and registration details are online; register early for the best value.

Beach Road reopening delayed

The reopening of the section of Beach Road between the power plant and Forker Building has been delayed. The need to relocate an underground electrical vault in turn has required that crews realign the bike path passing through that zone. The road and bike bath now are scheduled to reopen in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

Mental health first aid training offered in July

The Student Counseling Service will offer two sessions of its Mental Health First Aid training next month: July 16 and 23 (8 a.m.-noon), or July 21 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. with a 1-hour lunch break). This 8-hour training teaches faculty, staff and administrators how to respond to students or colleagues experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem, offering support and referrals. Cost is $50. For more information or to register, contact Erin Pederson, Student Counseling Service.

Norman Jacobson memorial service is June 26

A memorial service for Distinguished Professor emeritus Norman Jacobson (animal science) will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 26, at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Ave. Jacobson, 96, died May 14 in Eugene, Oregon. He retired from Iowa State in 1989 after serving in two departments, animal science and food science and human nutrition; and as both an associate dean and dean in the graduate college. Obituary

Hort Farm produce sale returns this summer

For the second year, fruits and vegetables being grown on research plots or by student organizations at the Horticulture Research Station north of Ames will be sold to university employees and students. Logging in with an ISU Net ID, they may order produce online between 4 p.m. Monday and noon Thursday, for campus delivery on Friday (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Harl Commons entrance on the east side of Curtiss Hall). Available produce will be sold during that time without a pre-order.

College Creek cleanup moves to July 25

Water levels and rain forecasts have prompted organizers to move the annual College Creek cleanup to Saturday, July 25 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). The event originally was scheduled for June 20. Online registration is open for volunteers who want to help with the annual effort to remove trash from designated sections of College Creek. Supplies are provided but volunteers should bring their own gloves and wear closed-toe shoes. Campus organizers are providing a free burrito lunch and door prizes. Volunteers should check in at the Forker parking lot, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

University Boulevard construction at Airport Road begins today

Weather permitting, a city of Ames project to pave University Boulevard to about one-half mile south of Airport Road/Oakwood Road was to begin today (June 15). The project includes installing three roundabouts and pedestrian facilities. During construction, drivers should expect temporary closures for east- and westbound traffic on Airport Road and Oakwood Road. North- and southbound traffic along University Boulevard will be maintained at all times, as will bike and pedestrian traffic on the shared use path. Cyclists and pedestrians should be aware of marked detours as well as construction traffic.

Welch Avenue at Lincoln Way closed Saturday morning

The 100 block of Welch Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 13, in conjunction with work on the new Kingland Systems building, 2422 Lincoln Way. A crane will be placed on Welch Avenue to lift HVAC units into place on the roof. During the street closure, Fire Station No. 2 temporarily will route trucks south onto Chamberlain Street. Because it's Saturday, the work will not cause any conflicts with CyRide routes.   

Volunteers sought for College Creek cleanup on June 20

Online registration is open for volunteers who want to help with the annual effort to remove trash from designated sections of College Creek on Saturday, June 20 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). Supplies are provided but volunteers should bring their own gloves and wear closed-toe shoes. Campus organizers are providing a free burrito lunch and door prizes. Volunteers should check in at the Forker parking lot, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Volunteer shifts still available at State Fair exhibit

There still are 22 volunteer shifts available at the university's State Fair exhibit. There are two shifts each day (8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and 2:45-9 p.m.) Aug. 13-23. In exchange for rolling athletics posters or applying Iowa State tattoos, volunteers receive free admission to the fair, an ISU State Fair T-shirt and parking. University employees interested in volunteering who receive their supervisor’s approval should sign up online by June 15 to guarantee T-shirt sizing. Questions may be directed to Catherine Hayes in the University Marketing office, 294-3969.

Beach Road should reopen next week

The underground utility work on Beach Road, between the power plant and Forker Building, is ahead of schedule. The road is expected to reopen the week of June 15, though some sidewalk closures will continue.

June 8 is deadline for Pappajohn entrepreneurial venture competition

Faculty, researchers and students across campus are invited to apply for start-up business awards in the Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Teams can compete for three prizes winning up to $25,000. The entry deadline is June 8. John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers are located at Iowa State and other universities and development centers throughout the state.

Students' food dehydrator wins $40,000 in awards

An ISU student team has won $40,000 in awards for a mobile solar food dehydrator built to help subsistence farmers in developing countries. Team KinoSol won $35,000 after competing in an Innove’ Project in Minneapolis and another $5,000 from the 2015 Pappajohn New Venture Student Business Plan Competition.

Dustin Lynch concert tickets go on sale June 8

Tickets for an Oct. 6 concert by rising country music artist Dustin Lynch go on sale Monday, June 8, via Midwestix. Tickets are $28 (ISU students with ID $18), plus fees. The concert will be held at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center (8 p.m. start, doors open at 7 p.m.).

Volunteers sought for ISU exhibit at state fair

University Marketing is seeking volunteers to help roll athletics posters and apply Iowa State tattoos at the university’s state fair exhibit Aug. 13-23. There are two shifts available each day: 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and 2:45-9 p.m. University employees interested in volunteering who receive their supervisor’s approval should sign up online by June 15. Questions may be directed to Catherine Hayes in the University Marketing office, 294-3969.

West-Hyland intersection closes June 3 for reconstruction

As part of the the city's reconstruction of West Street, the intersection with Hyland Avenue will close at 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, for 10 working days. Drivers are asked to use Campus or Sheldon avenues as alternate routes to campus.

First Reiman afternoon camp focuses on insects

The first in a summer series of afternoon youth camps at Reiman Gardens is June 9 (1-5 p.m.) and focuses on the world of insects. Participants will explore the gardens and butterfly house and enjoy games, crafts and snacks. Activities are appropriate for ages 8-12 years. Cost is $15 ($12 for members); preregistration is required.